
Silverstone bosses have re-iterated their belief they will agree a new deal with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to save the British Grand Prix.
Ecclestone today confirmed he was in negotiations with Donington Park's owners to potentially switch the race to the East Midlands circuit from 2010.
Silverstone's contract with Ecclestone expires after next year's race, with the track owners, the BRDC, continually coming under fire from the 77-year-old to improve facilities.
However, at the end of last month approval was finally given by the local district council for a new multi-million pound pit and paddock complex.
Far from being concerned by Ecclestone searching for alternatives, Richard Phillips, managing director of Silverstone Circuits Ltd, is confident the Northamptonshire track will win the day.
"The BRDC and Silverstone team has worked extremely hard to get us where we are today," said Phillips.
"Planning for the new pit and paddock complex has been approved, and we are on schedule to build a world-class facility that fully complies with FOM (Formula One Management, Ecclestone's company) requirements.
"Our negotiations with FOM are on-going and there is massive goodwill for the BRDC to do everything it can to retain the British Grand Prix.
"We feel it is vitally important a British Grand Prix remains on the F1 calendar, and Silverstone is well placed to realise that.
"Many countries and venues are competing for a limited number of dates on the F1 calendar, but we are making good progress towards delivering what we set out to achieve.
"We are confident an agreement can be reached with FOM to secure the long-term future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone."


No comments:
Post a Comment